Determination — So this is week 2 of the Made To Crave Online Bible study.  I am so glad that this is the the Word of the Week.  Because it is taking everything inside me to stay focused.  It’s crazy how easily we can get side-tracked.  Oh I’ll read that chapter after I make the bed or do the dishes.  Oh Look…. there’s a movie on that I wanted to see.  There are nights, like last night, in fact for the entire day, that I was so focused… nothing could get me off track…  and then there was today.  Yikes!!!!  But I am determined.  Determined to do something with all of this.  Determined to recognize my weaknesses, and to recognize that where I am weak, HE is strong.  Determined to accept that it doesn’t matter what “they” say, I am made for more.  That where I am right now, is not all there is.  Scripture says that He came that we might have life, and life more adundantly. I don’t want just an abundant life.  I want all that He has planned for my life and I don’t want my life without HIS hand guiding it.  I want more of Him.   I want the blessing of God on my life and my family.  

I want to be able to say….

I am….
… the forgiven child of God (Romans 3:24)
… the set-free child of God (Romans 8:1-2)
… the accepted child of God (1 Cor 1:2)
… the holy child of God (1 Cor 1:30)
… the made-new child of God (2 Cor 5:17)
… the loved child of God (Eph1:4)
… the close child of God (Eph 2:13)
… the confident child of God ( Eph 3:12)
… the victorious child of God (Romans 8:37)
(from Made to Crave – pg 53)

I can want all I want.  But I am not strong enough in my own power to do it.  I need HIS hand guiding me.  I need to have that place to hide when I am so weak that I can barely stand.  I need to have that place to run to when I can hardly focus on my day.  He has to be that center point.  He has to be what I rely on.  I have to shift my focus from this world to HIM.  To have that singular focus… to be so in-tuned that I recognize HIS voice…. HIS calling. 

From Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
January 29 – page 30

“Keep your focus on Me.  I have gifted you with amazing freedom, including the ability to choose the focal point of your mind.  Only the crown of My creation has such remarkable capability: this is a sign of being made in My image.

Let the goal of this day be to bring every thought captive to Me.  Whenever your mind wanders, lasso those thoughts and bring them in My Presence.  In My radiant Light, anxious thoughts shrink and shrivel away.  Judgemental thoughts are unmasked as you bask  in My unconditional Love.  Confused ideas are untangled while you rest in the simplicity of My Peace.  I will guard you and keep you in constant Peace, as you focus Your mind of Me.”